Mid Level Markers

If you read my prior posts you will see that my Brother-in-law just got introduced into the world of paintball and he was looking at buying his first electronic marker. He started looking and I asked about some opinions. Well he listened to me (first time in his life) and didn't just run out and buy any old marker. He is actually going to buy my Azodin Blitz off of me. I'm now looking to upgrade to a mid level marker.

I'm looking at the following markers and I want your comparison please.

I'm looking mostly at used markers because I have a budget of about $250-$300. I tried out an Invert Mini and I did not care for the way that it felt in my hands. I know that it is a quality marker but just didn't like the feeling of it. I've had all of these markers in my hand and like the way it feels but I've not shot any of them so I don't know how they perform.

This is what I really care about.
How it feels in my hands? (Already took care of that)
How easy is it to maintain? (Need your help)
How easy is it to get parts? (Again need your help)
How does it shoot/perform? (Help please)
What upgrades are going to be necessary (Help)

If there is a marker that you REALLY think that I'm missing the boat on please let me know and compare it to the others that I'm looking at.

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!! for your opinions!

__________________
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Personally I believe you are looking at the wrong guns... definatley going in the right direction but just missing it lol.

Instead of the etek/etha look for an 07/08 ego. it will be lighter than either of those guns (not sure 100% about the etha) and will shoot better.

PE is a piece of cake to maintain, pop out the bolt by lifting a pin and put a drop of oil on it. once in a blue moon you can clean the poppit and ram but most people out there do not even lube their bolt lol.

again, imo stay away from dp. I hear they shoot well but I also hear they are finiky and have problems. Not a ton of people own them therefore its less common to have someone that knows how to tech them off the back of their heads.. less fields/stores will have parts for them because they are less common.

Look into the axe, if you believe the mini is a good gun and just uncomfortable you will like the axe. The foregrip and grip frame has additional space and the trigger guard is also extended. it is much more comfortable than a mini.

Personally the axe is my gun of choice, fairley smooth, not too heavy, pretty efficient, and definately reliable. Im testing my current one and I havnt cleaned/lubed it in 3 months playing every sunday and there has not been a problem. They are easy to clean too, just pull out the "engine" and slap on some lube then its good to go.
You can find them for about 275-350 used in the b/s/t. They are going to be newer as well

Personally I believe you are looking at the wrong guns... definatley going in the right direction but just missing it lol.

Instead of the etek/etha look for an 07/08 ego. it will be lighter than either of those guns (not sure 100% about the etha) and will shoot better.

PE is a piece of cake to maintain, pop out the bolt by lifting a pin and put a drop of oil on it. once in a blue moon you can clean the poppit and ram but most people out there do not even lube their bolt lol.

again, imo stay away from dp. I hear they shoot well but I also hear they are finiky and have problems. Not a ton of people own them therefore its less common to have someone that knows how to tech them off the back of their heads.. less fields/stores will have parts for them because they are less common.

Look into the axe, if you believe the mini is a good gun and just uncomfortable you will like the axe. The foregrip and grip frame has additional space and the trigger guard is also extended. it is much more comfortable than a mini.

Personally the axe is my gun of choice, fairley smooth, not too heavy, pretty efficient, and definately reliable. Im testing my current one and I havnt cleaned/lubed it in 3 months playing every sunday and there has not been a problem. They are easy to clean too, just pull out the "engine" and slap on some lube then its good to go.
You can find them for about 275-350 used in the b/s/t. They are going to be newer as well

I agree with this guy. Look for an Axe. The used Ego is also good advice although personally I would buy a used Vice before I bought an 08 Ego. Don't focus on ease of maintenance. Learn to wrench on your gun. It will become enjoyable and help you in the long run. I break my gun down completely after each full day of playing.

I agree with this guy. Look for an Axe. The used Ego is also good advice although personally I would buy a used Vice before I bought an 08 Ego. Don't focus on ease of maintenance. Learn to wrench on your gun. It will become enjoyable and help you in the long run. I break my gun down completely after each full day of playing.

Thats definately true, every player should know how to break down their marker and do basic matience. eventually you should have a basic understanding to be able to look at any marker. some are more complicated than others so make sure you have the manual handy or look at videos on youtube

Thats definately true, every player should know how to break down their marker and do basic matience. eventually you should have a basic understanding to be able to look at any marker. some are more complicated than others so make sure you have the manual handy or look at videos on youtube

While I agree, starting with a marker that is easier to maintain is a better route. Thats like saying all new players should get Clone GT's or some other high end gun with supreme tolerances and just learn as they go. I think you are on track man, this level of guns exist for a reason and you seem to fit the bill. PE will be much better customer service over dp. Poppets will be much easier than spools. The etek is the easiest to maintain of these and will be the most efficient. It will be louder than the others but nothing that will surprise anyone. A new, mid-level marker also provides you the luxury of a warranty so that is another perk.

While I agree, starting with a marker that is easier to maintain is a better route. Thats like saying all new players should get Clone GT's or some other high end gun with supreme tolerances and just learn as they go. I think you are on track man, this level of guns exist for a reason and you seem to fit the bill. PE will be much better customer service over dp. Poppets will be much easier than spools. The etek is the easiest to maintain of these and will be the most efficient. It will be louder than the others but nothing that will surprise anyone. A new, mid-level marker also provides you the luxury of a warranty so that is another perk.

While I agree, starting with a marker that is easier to maintain is a better route. Thats like saying all new players should get Clone GT's or some other high end gun with supreme tolerances and just learn as they go. I think you are on track man, this level of guns exist for a reason and you seem to fit the bill. PE will be much better customer service over dp. Poppets will be much easier than spools. The etek is the easiest to maintain of these and will be the most efficient. It will be louder than the others but nothing that will surprise anyone. A new, mid-level marker also provides you the luxury of a warranty so that is another perk.

Just for clarification my first post noted that spoolies will be more difficult to maintain, I was only saying in my 2nd post that he should learn to tech his gun and its good to always have instructions especially if hes looking at a DP or something like a dm/pm.

But obviousley the OP might not have understood what I was saying so def good job on pointing this out to him!

If you read my prior posts you will see that my Brother-in-law just got introduced into the world of paintball and he was looking at buying his first electronic marker. He started looking and I asked about some opinions. Well he listened to me (first time in his life) and didn't just run out and buy any old marker. He is actually going to buy my Azodin Blitz off of me. I'm now looking to upgrade to a mid level marker.

I'm looking at the following markers and I want your comparison please.

I'm looking mostly at used markers because I have a budget of about $250-$300. I tried out an Invert Mini and I did not care for the way that it felt in my hands. I know that it is a quality marker but just didn't like the feeling of it. I've had all of these markers in my hand and like the way it feels but I've not shot any of them so I don't know how they perform.

This is what I really care about.
How it feels in my hands? (Already took care of that)
How easy is it to maintain? (Need your help)
How easy is it to get parts? (Again need your help)
How does it shoot/perform? (Help please)
What upgrades are going to be necessary (Help)

If there is a marker that you REALLY think that I'm missing the boat on please let me know and compare it to the others that I'm looking at.

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!! for your opinions!

As previously mentioned, looking at a used higher end gun like an 07 ego wouldn't be a bad idea. AXE's are also great guns as mentioned, but I'm not sure what they go for used - I personally never liked the feel. You may wanna look for a used Proto Reflex Rail also. Not sure what other people think of them, but the ergos are great and they shoot smoother than all of the guns you are looking at. They do lack efficiency and are a bit harder to maintain from what I understand (have only played around with a friends, but he talked like he had to break down the reg quite a bit, but that may just be his OCD - not sure).

Now as far as the guns mentioned, I would choose a used Etek 3. It is the easiest to maintain and most of the parts are the same on the Etek 4 so you should be able to get them for quite a while. Aside from O-Rings, I doubt you really have any problems that would call for you needing parts. I believe someone already mentioned it would be the loudest, but most efficient and this is true. As far as ugrades, either DP will probably need a Tech T bolt and barrel kit. They are also a bit more finicky, but I did love my G4 when I had it. The etha shouldn't really need any upgrades and will have a shaft 4 so you could just get the boost kit. Most used Etek 3's will already have certain upgrades such as the zick 2 and possibly a bolt because it seemed like most people who bought them ended up trying to make them smoother with upgrades.

I shoot an Etek 4 now which for the most part is an Upped Etek 3 and I love it. I sold my G4 so it wouldn't collect dust after I got it if that means anything.

Get a mini and put in a nummech extender. It gives you 1" more of front front grip and only under $40. I bet you can get a modded mini for $175-$200 and put in a nummech extender for $60 less than a stock axe.

Get a mini and put in a nummech extender. It gives you 1" more of front front grip and only under $40. I bet you can get a modded mini for $175-$200 and put in a nummech extender for $60 less than a stock axe.

Replying to the original question of the thread, I would say that the Etek 3 is the best choice on that list. Although a bit loud until broken in, the marker is easy to maintain, straightforward to take apart and extremely reliable. If you want to spend a little more, you can get an Etek 4 which is basically the exact same marker with a few adjusted features. I have not heard any good things about the g4 and I would switch that option for a Proto Rail instead.

Replying to the original question of the thread, I would say that the Etek 3 is the best choice on that list. Although a bit loud until broken in, the marker is easy to maintain, straightforward to take apart and extremely reliable. If you want to spend a little more, you can get an Etek 4 which is basically the exact same marker with a few adjusted features. I have not heard any good things about the g4 and I would switch that option for a Proto Rail instead.

Have a Vice and Etek 4, and recently traded my Axe (want a different color). You cannot go wrong with any of these, but there are differences. Most air efficient Vice by 2 pods easily with the Etek and Axe the same around a hopper with 4 pods (field is 3000#). Quiet Vice followed closely by Axe, but the Etek is loud (I got it from a snake player that hated being heard over the chaos of the game). Smooth shot Axe over the Vice and Etek spool over poppet. Upgradability Etek and Axe over the Vice, but really this is a personal choice of what to upgrade. Hope this helps.

Macro line version of G6R basically. Great efficiency. Used price around 300 to 400. One problem BUY IT WITH the Low Pressure Tester you will need it and nearly impossible to find separately. Trust me on this

Macro line version of G6R basically. Great efficiency. Used price around 300 to 400. One problem BUY IT WITH the Low Pressure Tester you will need it and nearly impossible to find separately. Trust me on this

You can get a pressure tester from BLAST for around $25. Also many pro shops carry them. My local one has 4 in stock.

Macro line version of G6R basically. Great efficiency. Used price around 300 to 400. One problem BUY IT WITH the Low Pressure Tester you will need it and nearly impossible to find separately. Trust me on this

I found one within 10 minutes of trying. There is also a plenty easy way to set the regs without a tester (sent to me by a timmy tech):

Quote:

zero out both regs, shoot it so there's no air... Then turn in the 1 turn past when you hear air rush into the gun

Then turn in the LPR until the gun will cycle. Then turn it 1/8-1/4 turns past that point.